Heinan #4
Dojo Stories
Heinan #4
I never even heard the term Yondan till about 1973.
One day Benny came in to the dojo and said OK today we are going to learn Heinan #4. So he started the first move to the left both hands open and on and on.
He came back two days later and said I changed my mind top hand closed and lead hand open. OK we did it that way. Then he came back a week later and said no you can't have the lead hand open if your fighting you will get your hand broken so change it top hand open and lead hand closed. OK we did it that way.
Next day he said i think it is best if we make both hands closed so you don't get your either hand broken so we did it that way.
Finally he came back in about a week later and said I was wrong we have to stick with the tradition and have both hands open but that back stance is stupid so lets use only cat stance in that kata.
By now we were all confused and it really didn't matter anyway. All that counted it that dojo was did you train regularly and did you always try your hardest and could you fight.
Stay tuned for more real life dojo stories form the 1960's.
Photo #1 yes I know it is not Heinan #4. But the interesting thing is notice the crest is a Goju Fist we all thought it was the coolest Logo.
Photo #2 The best fighting coach in all of Canada ever and maybe even the world, he just knew what to say to get the most out of you that was for sure.. First man I ever met that could bench 400 pounds.
Photo #3 Just sparring at the Delta Dojo. So many people use to come out and train there on Saturdays from all over the place guys like Teddy Martin, Tony Facet, Wally Slocki, Dennis Farbatiuk, Bill Hinds, Derwin Griffths, Greg Mellor, Jimmy Fields, Bob Dalgleish, Gary Legacy, Eileen Dennis, and the list just goes on and on.
Yeh they were for sure good times and the parties Oh My God. Those I can only talk about in person. The training was crazy hard and a lot more quit then stayed for sure. Hum and nobody gave a damn if they stayed or not.
The next story is the day he tried to throw me out of the dojo and to go home. I shouldn't be training in karate.